Charter Communications Inc. and Level 3 Communications (Booth 210) have extended their relationship with a new, multiyear agreement under which Level 3 will support Charters expansion of consumer and small business telephone services. Level 3s (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service will enable Charter to reduce the time-to-market associated with its deployment of VoIP-based services.

The agreement extends the portfolio of services Level 3 delivers to Charter, which currently includes (3)Voice Termination service, (3)CrossRoads IP services, (3)Link Dark Fiber service and (3)Link Intercity Private Line service.

The latest service to be adopted by Charter, (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service, is a telephone solution that will increase the speed and efficiency of Charters launch of IP-based local and long-distance communications services. (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service provides local phone numbers, local number portability, fixed location E911 and local trunking. Level 3 is able to offer these services in 4,300 rate centers, in part as a result of its CLEC status in all 50 states.

By working with Level 3, we can leverage a full suite of local, long-distance and E911 voice services to accelerate our telephone deployment and expand into new markets, said Ted Schremp, senior vice president and general manager of Charter Telephone. Our relationship with Level 3 provides speed-to-market benefits which will allow us to more quickly capture market share.

In addition to unlimited local and long-distance calls, Charter Telephone customers receive caller ID, voice mail, call waiting and call waiting with caller ID, speed dialing for eight different numbers, and anonymous-call rejection. The Charter network also has a backup system in case of a power failure, and customers benefit from Charter Telephones E911 emergency service.

As a wholesale provider and enabler of network solutions, the Level 3 network makes it possible for cable companies like Charter to implement quick-to-market solutions, providing a competitive advantage to retain and build its customer base, according to Level 3.

The cable segment is an important area of focus for Level 3 and we are excited to extend

our relationship with a leading cable operator like Charter, said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local voice services for Level 3. Our nationwide local voice network, extensive voice experience and the scalability and flexibility of our solutions have a proven track record of helping cable operators quickly introduce and immediately differentiate their voice services from traditional phone service.